THE COURAGE OF FAITH AND HOPE
Today’s
Gospel passage reminds me of the blind masseurs I sometimes go to when I
feel the need to relax and unwind. Some are rookies, with unsteady and
unsure hands, trying as much to locate sore and tense muscles as to find
a way to eke out an honest living. Most are good and capable of not
just soothing aching backs but restoring sore and tense muscles back to
supple newness.
They
are experts in what they do. What their eyes cannot see is compensated
by what their hands can touch. They feel knotted and sore limbs just as
soon as their hands get to work. They are in their best element doing
what they trained themselves to do, for as long as they are in familiar
territory.
The
confidence that they have while plying their trade is often replaced by
hesitation and trepidation once they set foot on unfamiliar ground,
especially when they have to brave the crowded streets to go back home
late into the night.
I greatly admire them. Their courage and grit ought to put people with normal use of all five senses to shame.
This
same courage is what the blind Bartimaeus teaches us. When he heard
that Jesus was coming to town and felt the growing excitement of the
crowds, he mustered the courage and prayed out loud, “Jesus, son of
David, have pity on me.” Evident in his faith-filled and trust-filled
cry for mercy is his courage and boldness.
The
blind man was in his best element. He knew whom he was praying to. He
knew Him in whom he believed. He had courage and was bold enough to ask
the “Son of David.” His was more than just a plea but a courageous
prayer born of faith and hope.Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTION: Is God asking you to stand up for your faith with boldness and courage?
Jesus, give me the courage to cry out to You with faith and trust that You will answer my prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment